Columnists

A former student of mine was engaging in a bit of self-effacing humor on social media the other day, laughing at an overly emotional post she placed on Facebook almost a decade and a half ago. I clearly have no social media points of reference from my teenage years – it would be over a…

The final outcome of Election 2024 is impossible to predict six months preliminary. The best anyone can do is look at where things are now. November will be a three-way race between Democrat incumbent Joe Biden, former Chief Executive and Republican Donald Trump, and Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as potential spoiler. Kennedy should not…

Identity theft is when someone uses your personal information to impersonate you or steal from you. These crimes can impact your physical, mental, and emotional health and lead to lost opportunities that are often hard to measure. Learning more about identity theft can help you keep your personal information safe. There are 2 types of…

An overpayment occurs when Social Security pays a person more money in Social Security benefits or SSI payments than should have been paid. The amount of the overpayment is the difference between the payment received and the amount that was due. Social Security is required by law to adjust benefits or recover debts when an…

I spoke to a college ornithology class about birds a few years back. I think my talk went over really well except for my woodpecker recipes. I myself have had a great fascination with birds since I was very small. I wanted to grow up and be a waterfowl biologist as dad and I floated…

There’s a reality that seems to be hiding from us – right there in plain sight. While it has been the subject of great weeping and gnashing of teeth that our rural areas have lost so many things over the years – businesses, families, homes, opportunities – the fact is that we still offer a…

This column is a suggestion to both college student protesters and higher education officials to find a better approach to the pro-Palestinian student protests. Those protests and university reaction are so different from the 1970 student demonstrations on the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus in protest to the Vietnam War and the deaths of four…

I am reasonably tolerant when it comes to demonstrations. After all, the right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and protest was a big part of how the country came about. Indeed, the Boston Massacre was triggered by activism, and the Boston Tea Party was a lively demonstration against authority and injustice.…

I’m ready to go out and find a party. Like seriously, I’m all dressed up and have nowhere to go, but I just can’t find a party that I’m comfortable with. This isn’t about a social event, even though some of these parties are rife with socialites and people wanting to be seen. Also, I’m…

Spring always feels special. After even mild winters, the longer days, warmer temperatures and greener parks can lift our spirits and offer a fresher outlook. With that comes an added bonus for our weekly menus and produce drawers — springtime fruits and vegetables. Of course, fresh produce is available year-round in many stores, but in-season…